About First Source

Join us at this year’s Wiggle Waggle Walk-a-thon

September 9, 2014

Join Team First Source at the Wiggle Waggle Walk-a-thon this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at Sherrillbrook Park in New Hartford. Bring your own dog along or walk one from the shelter. It’s a wonderful event. Don’t just take our word for it – read about how Paul Grimes met Ragz at the Wiggle Waggle, in his own words.

If you’ve never been to the Stevens-Swan Humane Society’s Wiggle-Waggle Walk-a-thon, I encourage you to go. Granted I am an animal-lover at heart, but still, I had no idea what I was in for and how much it would end up meaning to me.

Last year my wife who works at First Source had volunteered to walk a shelter dog at the event. My daughter was going to go along and walk her Dachshund, Louie. She was unable to go, so I took her place.

At the event I met Ragz, a 210 lb. Neapolitan Mastiff. A giant ball of drool and love. We spent some time together and when I got up to leave he kept putting his huge paw on my hand as if to say, “please don’t go.” And I knew I was not going home without him. It sounds silly but it’s like we found each other that day. We needed each other and I was so happy to be able to provide a loving home for an older dog. Everybody wants the puppies and the older dogs get left behind.

Ragz is part of the family now. He’s more than my best friend. He’s the third child. He’s doing well for a 7 year old, slowing down a bit. And don’t let his size fool you. He’s a big baby, especially when it comes to taking his vitamins. Ha ha .

We’re going to the Wiggle Waggle Walk-a-thon again this year and I’m excited to bring Ragz back. It will be a like a reunion for him and it’s a great place for me to share our story. I hope I inspire others to adopt a pet as well. Ragz may not have a lot of years left but I’m glad that the years he does have are with someone who loves him and will take care of him. Even for a short period in their lives we can offer so much love to these animals.

I don’t know if I’ll bring another one home this year… but you never know.”
– Paul Grimes